Dog Bite Septicemia Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) from Capnocytophaga Septicemia in an Asplenic Patient Presented by Ariel L. Sarmiento, MPH Region 1 Epidemiologist ( Ballard • Carlisle • Calloway • Fulton • Graves • Hickman Marshall • McCracken ) Epi Rapid Response Team Annual Conference August 30th, 2005 Frankfort, KY : Dog Bite Septicemia Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) from Capnocytophaga Septicemia in an Asplenic Patient Presented by Ariel L. Sarmiento, MPH Region 1 Epidemiologist ( Ballard • Carlisle • Calloway • Fulton • Graves • Hickman Marshall • McCracken ) Epi Rapid Response Team Annual Conference August 30th, 2005 Frankfort, KY
Introduction: Introduction Septicemia in pts. with Hx of splenectomy well documented in published literature
much rarer, septicemia cases leading to deaths secondary to dog or cat bites also well documented
Most common organism involved is Capnocytophaga canimorsus or others that are of the same species (Sarma, P., Mohanty S., 2001)
Introduction: Introduction C. canimorsus (formerly known an Dysgonic fermenter 2 [Df2]) part of canine and feline normal flora (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1992)
With asplenic humans, pathogen can be deadly (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1992)
Epidemiology of Bites: Epidemiology of Bites (CDC, 2003; PatientPlus, 2005)
Most bite wounds caused by:
Dogs (60 - 90%)
Cats (5 - 18%)
Humans (4 – 23%)
In 2001, 368,245 persons in US were tx for dog bite injuries ( incidence rate of 129.3/100,000)
Epidemiology of Bites: Epidemiology of Bites Only 20% of people bitten by a dog seek medical help
1% of these people require hospitalization
Around 42% of dog bites occur among children aged < 14 years, most often from a household pet
Epidemiology of Bites: Epidemiology of Bites
More than 70% of animal bites are caused by family pets or animals known to the person
Incidence of dog bites increases during April to September (warmer months– dog bite prevention is in May)
Most common injuries are to the arm and/or hand
Epidemiology of Bites: Epidemiology of Bites
Most common circumstances surrounding dog bites involving adults:
Trying to help an injured dog
Breaking up a fight between dogs
Literature Review: Literature Review Texas, early 90’s (August, J., 1990)
28 y.o.
Dog groomer in Vet clinic
Bitten in forearm by 2 y.o. male cocker spaniel
Bite wound area cleansed with povidone-iodine
Started Sx 3 days later: c/o chills, malaise, weakness, ↑pain at bite site
Hx of splenectomy discovered when surgical scar was observed in upper L quadrant of abdomen, spouse provided info upon questioning
Literature Review: Literature Review Texas, early 90’s(cont’d)…
IV penicillin treatment started after blood and CSF specimens were collected
Capnocytophaga canimorsus (then known as Dysgonic-fermenter 2) isolated after 5 days from pt specimen
Pt recovered after antimicrobial therapy and treatment for renal failure without further complication
Literature Review: Literature Review New Mexico, June 1992 (CDC, 1992)
50 y. o.
Initially diagnosed as plague resulting to septicemia
Undetermined source of infection with possibilities arising from dog bite:
Pt owned several dogs
Add’l Hx provided by family indicated a swollen thumb
Hx of chronic alcohol consumption 4 – 6 drinks/day
c/o of epigastric pain, nausea, fever, chills, rash
Literature Review: Literature Review New Mexico, June 1992 (cont’d…)
Tx with IV antibiotics but died of acute renal failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome 3 days after ER presentation
No Hx of splenectomy or immunosuppression
Autopsy reports confirmed internal hemmorhage consistent with gram negative sepsis (DIC)
Capnocytophaga canimorsus (then known as DF2) isolated from blood and CSF culture
Literature Review: Literature Review June 2004 (Deshmukh, P., et al, 2004)
45 y.o.
Employed by animal shelter where she was bitten by a dog
No Hx of splenectomy,immunosuppresion, alcohol abuse, or costicosteroid therapy
Pt presented to ER late in the course of infection
This may have greatly contributed to her death
Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology: Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology Previously classified by CDC as part of Group Dysgonic Fermenter-2 (DF-2)
Slow growing gram negative rod-shaped bacterium
Fastidious -- requires CO2 for growth
Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology: Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology
Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology: Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology Isolated from saliva of healthy dogs and cats as part of normal flora
Human normal oral flora may also contain Capnocytophaga spp. – documented to cause periodontal disease
Susceptible to various antibiotics:
penicillin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, cefoxitine and clindamycin
Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology: Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology Opportunistic pathogen with low virulence except in susceptible hosts:
Asplenia: splenectomy due to either abdominal trauma or underlying medical disorders (the latter being more susceptible to opportunistic infections)
Splenectomized individuals are 30 to 200 times more prone to die from bacterial infections;
highest is during 1st 2 years after splenectomy
Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology: Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology
These individuals do not produce enough IgM and IgG2 (the spleen produces B cells which develop into antibody-producing plasma cells, memory cells)
Also delayed macrophage mobilization (key defense against bacterial infection) occurs (spleen along with the liver contain macrophages that engulf and destroy foreign particulates such as bacteria in the bloodstream)
Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology: Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology Other high risk variables:
Immunocompromised status (AIDS, chronic diabetes, etc)
Chronic alcohol abuse
Chronic pulmonary disease
Hematologic malignancies
Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology: Capnocytophaga Canimorsus: Microbiology and Pathology
First known case of infection was in 1976 when organism was isolated from a pt’s CSF and blood (August, J., year unknown).
Case Report: Case Report Pt. Demographics/Medical Hx
32 y. o., with Hx of splenectomy (done 5 years prior due to abdominal trauma)
Hx of illness
Pt woke up at 3 am, c/o fever, body aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea x 10, hot and cold, chills and shaking, dizziness after each diarrhea episode
Case Report: Case Report Hx of illness (cont’d…)
Presented at ER afternoon of same day
Admitted to surgical floor with a Dx of gastroenteritis probably of viral etiology
No Hx of ingestion of possibly contaminated food
Case Report: Case Report Course of action, treatment, death
No Hx of close associates or family members having enteric illness or Sx thereof
Upon admission, immediately Tx for dehydration
Given Hx of splenectomy, blood cultures were ordered to check for bacterial infection
Case Report: Case Report Course of action, treatment, death (cont’d…)
CBC differential ordered
@ 8 PM, Pt eventually revealed Hx of dog bite 2 days ago
Extremities had already turned blue and mottled
suggesting compromised peripheral circulation
Case Report: Case Report Course of action, treatment, death (cont’d…)
Thereafter, aggressive IV Tx with antimicrobials was initiated
Now evident that pt. had septic picture from a dog bite
Now treated as a “life-threatening” event because of asplenic state
Pt condition deteriorated rapidly
Case Report: Case Report Course of action, treatment, death (cont’d…)
Pt transferred to CCU, ambu-bagged, intubated
CPR performed, add’l epinephrine, bicarbonate, atropine administered then electric shock
Code called at 11:09 pm
Blood culture grew Capnocytophaga canimorsus
Case Report: Case Report Autopsy
Confirmed Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) as cause of death
Scabbed wounds on medial aspect of L hand consistent with dog bite
Discussions: Discussions DIC as cause of death:
Mechanism of syndrome
Uncontrolled proliferation of
pathogen in the bloodstream
aided by asplenic state Gram negative bacteria
(as in this case) produces
a certain endotoxin Endotoxin activates several
steps in coagulation process Uncontrolled coagulation cascade occurs Can result to multiple
organ failure due to
compromised circulation
Peripheral circulation
also compromised End-stage of DIC occurs: coagulation factors are
depleted resulting to massive internal hemorrhage
Discussion: Discussion Late discovery of dog bite Hx
Narrative on dog bite Hx
Pt’s dog got into a fight with 2 other neighborhood dogs, pt intervened and got bitten by own dog in the process
Dog initially quarantined but turned up clinically healthy (“rabies-free”) with up-to-date Hx of vaccination
Description of wound
not severe (physical appearance)
Initially not thought of as serious by patient
Discussion: Discussion Consultation with Frankfort
Dr. Auslander’s knowledge bank:
LHD was informed by Hospital ICN the morning after pt’s death
Hospital staff members were puzzled by the events
LHD consulted with Dr. Auslander who readily recognized the s/sx of sepsis due to C. canimorsus
LHD received literature from Dr. Auslander and it was immediately shared with hospital staff
Conclusions and Recommendations: Conclusions and Recommendations
Protocols on prophylaxis for asplenic pts?
How to protect against risks associated with asplenic state?
References: References August, J. (1990). Dysgonic fermenter-2 infections, Zoonosis Updates from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. American Veterinary Medical Association Monograph, Library of Congress catalog number 90-082996.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1992). Capnocytphaga canimorsus sepsis misdiagnosed as plaue– New Mexico, 1992. Retrieved May 16, 2005 from CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00019514.htm
Centers for Disease Control of Prevention (2003). Nonfatal dog bite—related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments—United States, 2001. MMWR, 52, 605-610.
Deshmukh, P., et al (2004). Capnocytophaga canimorsus sepsis with purpura fulminans and symmetrical gangrene following a dog bite in a shelter employee. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, 327, 369-372.
Isselbacher, K. et al. (1996). Harrison’s Principle of Internal Medicine (13th ed). New York: McGraw-Hill.
References: References Levi, M., ten Cate, H. (1999). Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation. The New England Journal of Medicine, 341, 586-592.
PatientPlus (2005). Bites- Human and Animal. Retrieved July 19,2005 from PatientPlus website: http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40024910
Sarma, P., Mohanty S. (2001). Capnocytophaga cynodegmi cellulitis, bacteremia and pneumonitis in a diabetic man. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 39, 2028-2029.
Schmaier, A. (2004). Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation. Retrieved August 11,2005 from E-Medicine Website: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topics577.htm
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